Today we will be diving into game design and its mechanics, specifically how this affects players. When you have read this article, you will be able to make an attempt at designing and producing your own game! 

Game Design

Game design involves creating the rules and look of your game, all the nitty gritty, first draft information. This is done usually before the coding and technological aspects of the game come to the forefront of the production process. The initial game design acts as the schematics for your game that will determine how the players experience it. Dive deeper into the fundamentals here!

Mechanics

The Mechanics involves that kinds of components will make up the majority of the users’ gameplay. Be it a third person or first person, stealth, or perhaps a strategy gamer. These all go into what kind of mechanics the player will have to learn in order to play the game. 

A great example of both intuitive game design and mechanics brings us to Baby Steps. An open world walking simulator where the player has to control every limb of the giant man baby that they are controlling. The game design involves throwing the players into the shoes of man that has never walked but now, by force, he must. Not only is the world a strange and beautiful place, but it is also filled with dangers that could negatively affect the player and the character they are controlling.  

Although I would like to say: “The mechanics of the game are simple” I cannot. The mechanics of the game are confusing and challenging, by forcing the player to use the controller or keyboard and use the corresponding buttons to control each of the characters’ body parts. Not only does this game have a unique story and design, but an interesting mechanic that has not been done too much in the gaming world. Baby Steps acts as a testament to what happens when a team has a good design, with good mechanics and sticks to it! Check this out for more info on Baby Steps!

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References:

Baby Steps Photo: IMDB

Baby Steps Article: Game Developer

Featured Image: IGN

Splinter Cell Photo: Splinter Cell Wiki

Game Design Fundamentals: elvtr